Yellowknife (Feb 18/04) - City council met with an emotional and divided group of residents Monday - pitted against each other over a proposed group home for mentally ill patients on Rycon Drive.

Rycon Drive resident Debbie LeSage was at City Hall Monday, outlining her concerns about a proposed group home for mentally ill clients across the street from her home. - Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo

Residents in the area say they're worried some of the clients may have criminal backgrounds or drug and alcohol addictions. Proponents argue their clients pose no danger to the community, and they have to be housed somewhere.

"We feel the safety of our families will be at risk," said Debbie LeSage, who lives across the street from the proposed group home at 23 Rycon Drive.

"They could frequent the local bars and partake in alcohol and drugs. We've had no assurances that the patients will not have a history of sexual assault and violence."

Les Harrison, director of community and family services with the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority, responded with an impassioned plea to council, reminding members mental health issues have wide-reaching implications.

The group home would house up to six clients.

"You've got to put them out in the community and support them, not shut them out," said Harrison.

Follow-up meeting offered

He said if the home is approved, the authority would hold a follow-up meeting with residents after six months to see if there were still any concerns. He also said a review of the home would be conducted after one year.

Although most councillors present appeared willing to move the group home permit application to next Monday's regular meeting for a council vote, two -- councillors Dave McCann and Blake Lyons -- said they still have concerns.

"Residents don't want to pay a price for a mistake in case one of the four per cent make it in," said Coun. McCann, referring to the percentage of people suffering psychiatric ailments capable of violence, said Harrison.

Some in the audience -- a good many of them mental health and social workers -- expressed outrage at some of the comments made by councillors.

"It's like we're going backwards in time," said Gloria Kraft, who runs a clubhouse for mentally ill clients.

Regardless, some residents say the Yellowknife health authority has yet to offer concrete assurances that mentally ill clients won't pose a threat outside the home. They'd be free to come and go as they please for the most part.

"I think it's just the uncertainty of it all," said LeSage.

Harrison said he is not aware of any problems with clients at any other group homes in Yellowknife.